Taylor's Gossip Girl Diaries 2

Chapter 12: Nocturnal Nexus

As Taylor sat at her desk, her mind consumed by thoughts of Laura and the recent revelations, Liam approached her with two cups of coffee in hand. His presence brought a brief respite from her swirling thoughts, but the tension in her shoulders remained palpable.

Handing her one of the cups, Liam offered her a reassuring smile, his gaze softening with understanding as he sensed her concern. "Hey, Taylor," he greeted her, his voice gentle yet reassuring. "I know you've got a lot on your mind, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm a divorced guy now. There's nothing for you to worry about."

Taylor's eyes widened in surprise at Liam's candid admission, her heart fluttering with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. She struggled to process the implications of his newfound single status, her mind racing with questions about the future of their complicated relationship.

But as she met Liam's gaze, she found herself drawn to the warmth and sincerity reflected in those piercing blue eyes. Despite the complexities of their situation, there was a sense of comfort in knowing that Liam was navigating this tumultuous journey alongside her, offering his support and understanding every step of the way.

Liam's voice was low, laced with a hint of tension as he leaned in close to Taylor, his breath warm against her ear. "Now it's just me and my sister Gigi at the Chrysler Building," he murmured, his words tinged with a sense of urgency. "You have to come with us tonight."

Taylor felt a shiver run down her spine at the intensity in Liam's gaze, his proximity sending her pulse racing with anticipation. She met his eyes with unwavering intensity, her own voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "Definitely."

As Taylor made her way through the bustling halls of NYU, she spotted Selena emerging from her class. With a warm smile, Taylor approached her friend, eager to catch up.

"Hey, Selena," Taylor greeted her, her tone filled with excitement. "I'm just here for a visit, but I've got so much to tell you."

However, before Taylor could share her news, Selena's attention was immediately drawn to Lucas nearby. With a determined look, Selena reached out and grasped his arm, her focus shifting entirely.

"Now it's time to talk," Selena declared, her voice tinged with urgency as she led Lucas to a quieter corner of the campus, away from prying eyes and curious ears.

As Selena confronted Lucas about his relationship with Katy, her eyes flashed with a mixture of suspicion and accusation. "Lucas, spill it," she demanded, her voice dripping with authority. "What's going on between you and that scheming snake?"

Lucas shifted uncomfortably under Selena's penetrating gaze, his expression betraying a hint of guilt. "It's not what you think, Sel," he began, his voice faltering slightly. "Katy and I..."

As the heated exchange between Selena and Lucas reached its climax, Taylor couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her friend, even as she grappled with her own confusion. Turning her gaze to Lucas, she couldn't hide her incredulity at his revelation.

"Katy Perry?" Taylor exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. The idea of Lucas being entangled with their arch-nemesis seemed almost too absurd to comprehend.

Lucas met Taylor's gaze with a bitter smirk, his eyes betraying a hint of resentment. "Well, are you even surprised?" he shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Considering you're cozying up to my married cousin."

As Lucas's accusation hung in the air like a heavy shroud, Selena's expression shifted from defiance to disbelief, her features contorted with a mixture of shock and guilt. Taylor watched in silence as the truth of Lucas's words washed over her friend, leaving her reeling in its wake.

"And you," Lucas continued, turning his accusatory gaze towards Selena, "you slept with my best friend while we were still together. So both of you have no right to judge me."

Selena's face paled at the damning revelation, her lips parting in a wordless protest as she struggled to find the right words to defend herself. But in that moment, no words could erase the weight of her betrayal, nor could they undo the damage that had been done to their friendship.

With a heavy sigh, Lucas turned on his heel and made his exit, leaving Selena and Taylor standing in stunned silence, the echoes of his words reverberating in the empty space between them.

As the weight of Lucas's accusations lingered in the air, Selena turned to Taylor with a mix of incredulity and hurt in her eyes. "So it's true, you and Liam?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, searching for confirmation amidst the turmoil of emotions swirling within her.

Taylor met Selena's gaze with a solemn nod, her own heart heavy with the weight of her forbidden romance. "This is what I came for, Selena. I needed to tell you," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret.

Selena's expression softened slightly, her features betraying a flicker of understanding amidst the tumult of emotions coursing through her. "We're gonna talk later," she declared, her tone resolute as she made a mental note to address the issue at hand. "But right now, I've gotta get to class."

With a heavy sigh, Taylor made her way to her own destination, steeling herself for the evening ahead at the Chrysler Building, where she would confront the complexities of her relationship with Liam amidst the glittering backdrop of New York City's skyline.

As Taylor sifted through her closet, her mind raced with thoughts of the evening ahead. Just as she settled on a simple yet elegant outfit, her mother, Charlize, breezed past her, a knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"Somebody's gotta tell me where they're going," Charlize quipped, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Taylor's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly composed herself, offering a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, it's nothing, Mom," she replied casually, her tone carefully neutral. "I'm just spending the night with Karlie."

Charlize nodded in understanding, her expression one of maternal warmth. "Alright, sweetheart. Have fun," she said before adding, "By the way, I'm going with your brother to his prom."

Taylor's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked her reaction with a smile. "That sounds like fun, Mom," she replied, her voice betraying none of her inner turmoil.

As Charlize made her exit, Taylor returned her focus to getting dressed, opting for a simple yet chic ensemble befitting a cozy night at the Chrysler building. With her outfit chosen and her nerves somewhat settled, she took a deep breath and prepared herself for the evening ahead, knowing that the night held the promise of both excitement and uncertainty.

Xoxo gossip girl